A new year with new beginnings and new adventures!
I received an email from Amnesty International a few days ago which read:
Dear Anokhi,
Back in December, you took action to prevent the forced eviction of thousands of people living by the railway in Accra, Ghana. We only had a few days to gather names yet over 32,000 Amnesty supporters from around the world signed our petition, which we handed in to Ghana’s Minister of Transport.
We are delighted to let you know that the proposed eviction did not take place, and is not expected to take place in the near future.
Our colleagues at Amnesty Ghana believe that it was pressure from people like you that stopped the authorities from going ahead with the demolition, sparing families from homelessness and destitution. They believe the authorities now plan to engage local communities in discussion about any future plans for redevelopment.
Thank you once again for your speedy response. This is a great start to the year, and we hope you will continue to take action throughout 2011 to prevent forced evictions and the human rights abuses that go with them.
I was extremely thrilled! Amnesty International are doing a wonderful job with supporting Human Rights - however, I just wanted to emphasise how much a single moment of your time, be it for anything, can make a huge difference.
A forced eviction is the removal of people against their will from the homes or land they occupy without legal protections and other safeguards.
Evictions may be carried out only as a last resort, once all other feasible alternatives have been explored and only after appropriate procedural and legal safeguards are in place.
These include:
On 26 November 2010, the Government of Ghana signed a US$6 billion contract with a Chinese company for the construction and expansion of railway infrastructure in Ghana.
I received an email from Amnesty International a few days ago which read:
Dear Anokhi,
Back in December, you took action to prevent the forced eviction of thousands of people living by the railway in Accra, Ghana. We only had a few days to gather names yet over 32,000 Amnesty supporters from around the world signed our petition, which we handed in to Ghana’s Minister of Transport.
We are delighted to let you know that the proposed eviction did not take place, and is not expected to take place in the near future.
Our colleagues at Amnesty Ghana believe that it was pressure from people like you that stopped the authorities from going ahead with the demolition, sparing families from homelessness and destitution. They believe the authorities now plan to engage local communities in discussion about any future plans for redevelopment.
Thank you once again for your speedy response. This is a great start to the year, and we hope you will continue to take action throughout 2011 to prevent forced evictions and the human rights abuses that go with them.
I was extremely thrilled! Amnesty International are doing a wonderful job with supporting Human Rights - however, I just wanted to emphasise how much a single moment of your time, be it for anything, can make a huge difference.
A forced eviction is the removal of people against their will from the homes or land they occupy without legal protections and other safeguards.
Evictions may be carried out only as a last resort, once all other feasible alternatives have been explored and only after appropriate procedural and legal safeguards are in place.
These include:
- genuine consultation with the affected people
- prior adequate and reasonable notice
- adequate alternative housing and compensation for all losses
- safeguards on how evictions are carried out
- access to legal remedies and procedures, including access to legal aid where necessary
On 26 November 2010, the Government of Ghana signed a US$6 billion contract with a Chinese company for the construction and expansion of railway infrastructure in Ghana.
People living in slums experience a staggering number of human rights violations. They are routinely denied their right to adequate housing, safe water, sanitation and drainage, electricity, health and education, and face the constant threat of police, gang violence, and forced eviction.
Amnesty International has urged the Ghanaian authorities to halt the imminent eviction of thousands of people living next to railway lines in the capital, Accra.
Known as the Railway Dwellers, the men, women and children who live and work next to the lines in the Agbogbloshie area of Accra face homelessness after local authorities gave them two weeks to leave the area on 1 December 2010.
I am just so glad that the evictions did not take place and that these innocent people will not lose their homes and their livelihoods. Wherever they may be living and regardless of how - everyone deserves a life!
Good news and a great start to the New Year!
Amnesty International has urged the Ghanaian authorities to halt the imminent eviction of thousands of people living next to railway lines in the capital, Accra.
Known as the Railway Dwellers, the men, women and children who live and work next to the lines in the Agbogbloshie area of Accra face homelessness after local authorities gave them two weeks to leave the area on 1 December 2010.
I am just so glad that the evictions did not take place and that these innocent people will not lose their homes and their livelihoods. Wherever they may be living and regardless of how - everyone deserves a life!
Good news and a great start to the New Year!
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